Kayaking Sagamore Creek – Portsmouth NH

Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth, NH is a very attractive paddling destination for both local kayakers and visitors alike. Not only is paddling here scenic, but your efforts rewarded by the rare opportunity to paddle to a popular seafood restaurant where you’ll find a soft landing area for kayaks. At BG’s Boathouse Restaurant, paddlers can enjoy a meal on the deck while keeping an eye on their kayaks and the tide. Because Sagamore Creek is tidal, the ability to use the tides in your favor makes this paddling endeavor that much more enjoyable.

WHY PADDLE HERE? – For coastal nature, harbor views, a tidal water experience and an opportunity to paddle to lunch or dinner at BG’s Boathouse Restaurant, a popular waterfront restaurant located on Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth, NH.

THE PADDLING ROUTE – In planning today’s trip we had one simple goal in mind, paddle to BG’s Boathouse Restaurant for dinner and a glass of wine. We launched our kayaks from the public boat ramp at Odiorne Point State Park Boat Launch approximately two hours prior to high tide.

Once launching, we turned right and paddled into Little Harbor, paddled underneath the Rte 1B bridge and then paddled upriver with the flood tide. We veered left into Sagamore Creek and paddled the length of the creek landing to the left of BG’s Boat House Restaurant where we enjoyed an excellent seafood dinner. We highly recommend the haddock!

After dinner, we re-launched with the ebb tide, and reversed course paddling downriver. We paddled back under the Rte 1B bridge and into Little Harbor where we took a short paddle to watch the sun set before returning to the boat launch before nightfall.

Little Harbor, especially at sun set, is one of my favorite places to paddle. If you paddle here, you will not be disappointed.

Entering Little Harbor after launching from Odiorne Point Boat Launch

Cormorant in Little Harbor

Paddling under the Rte 1B bridge

Paddling under the Rte 1B bridge

Paddling upriver with the flood tide

We launched our kayaks from Odiorne State Park Boat Launch, turned right and paddled under the Rte 1B bridge and then paddled upriver with the flood tide toward Sagamore Creek.

Paddling up Sagamore Creek to BG’s Boathouse Restaurant

Paddling up Sagamore Creek to BG’s Boathouse Restaurant

BG’s Boathouse Restaurant, kayak landing to the left of building

Nice soft landing area for kayaks at BG’s Boathouse Restaurant

View of Sagamore Creek from inside BG’s Boathouse restaurant

We veered left into Sagamore Creek, paddled the length of the creek and landed to the left of BG’s Boathouse Restaurant.

Laury and Bobbi, all fueled up and ready to go

Lisa, ready to paddle back downriver

Paddling Sagamore Creek downriver with the ebb tide

Paddling downriver

Lisa, leading the way back downriver

Bobbi paddling a Point 65 break apart kayak that fits inside a mini-van

Paddling downriver

Paddling downriver, the historic Wentworth Hotel in distance

After dinner we re-traced our route paddling down Sagamore Creek with the ebb tide and back under the Rte 1B bridge to Little Harbor.

Back in Little Harbor

Paddling around Little Harbor as the sun is setting

Watching the sunset

Sun is low, time to go

End of paddle, waiting in line as many boaters attempt to exit before dark

Once back in Little Harbor, we paddled around the harbor while the sun was setting before returning to the boat launch before nightfall.

CAUTIONS! – Tides, strong currents, and boat traffic. The tidal currents are strong as you paddle underneath the Rte 1B bridge. For safety, paddle under the bridge as close to slack tide as possible and avoid paddling in the center where the current is always the strongest, and paddle as you pass underneath the bridge. We routinely paddle under the bridge within two hours either side of the high tide without issue but after that, the current becomes increasingly strong and should be avoided by novice kayakers.

Ordione Point State Park Boat Launch

Self pay station

Parking lot

Parking lot

Boat launch, looking to the right

Boat launch

PARKING & LAUNCH – The State of NH maintains a public boat launch at Odiorne Point State Park 570 Ocean Blvd. Rye, NH. The boat launch itself is located on Ocean Blvd. approximately one mile north of the main entrance. The launch has a concrete ramp and a large parking lot for vehicles and trailers. There is a self pay station with suggested donation fees.

RESTROOMS – Yes, there are portable toilets located in the parking lot. Additional restrooms are located in Odiorne Point State Park near the main entrance, approximately one mile south of the boat launch.

WHEN TO VISIT- Summer is the best time to paddle Little Harbor and Sagamore Creek. Avoid holidays and weekends if you can as the boat launch parking lot is used by both boaters and those visiting Odiorne Point State Park.